- Three Bites of Any Dessert Is Enough to Satisfy - jakeliefer
“I usually don't have a burger, a brat, and a steak, but . . . it is 4th of July!”
That’s a line from comedian Jim Gaffigan, poking fun at people's penchant for overindulging during the holidays. It tends to get even worse this time of year, with a Weight Watchers report revealing that the average American gains between seven and 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.
And if that weren’t bad enough, the extra weight tends to stick, adding pounds and pounds as the years go on.
But what can be done to still enjoy those favorite holiday specialties without packing on the pounds? Here are a few tips to hang your stocking on:
Exercise and Eat Right Over the Holidays
Exercise. Many people have extra time off during the holidays. If you’re one of them, use that time to develop an exercise routine, or bump up your usual one. This will help burn off the extra calories you’ll be consuming, and could even turn into a good habit that you can carry over into 2011.
Portion Size. Don’t feel you have to deny yourself Aunt Judy’s sinful casserole because you know it’s loaded with fat. Especially if it’s a dish you only get to enjoy once a year, go ahead and enjoy it . . . in moderation. Serve yourself small portions of everything and eat slowly so you can savor every bite. An alternative approach: use the three bite rule. Limit yourself to three bites of anything unhealthy. That’s usually enough to satisfy a craving so you can move on to something else.
Strategies to Not Gain Weight at Parties
Limit alcohol intake. People sometimes forget how many calories are in alcoholic beverages. According to iVillage Health article "Beer, Wine and Liquor: Are They Making You Fat?" (April 2010), there are 145 calories in a typical domestic beer, about 106 calories in a glass of dry wine and a whopping 490 calories in an eight ounce serving of eggnog. You can easily save a few holiday pounds by sticking with non-alcoholic drinks. Or limit yourself to one alcoholic drink per hour with a big glass of water in between to cut down your calorie and alcohol consumption significantly.
Don’t go to the party on an empty stomach. If you eat a healthy meal before heading out for a fun night, you’ll be less tempted to graze at the appetizer table. Fiber-rich foods will give you more staying power, and if you do fill up a plate at the party, try to include fruits and vegetables in the mix and use the three-bite rule for the bigger temptations.
Cook healthier for the holidays. If you have some control over the holiday meal, make a few simple changes to the recipes to make them healthier. Half-fat versions of things like sour cream and mayonnaise go unnoticed in dips and casseroles. Try grilling and steaming side dishes instead of frying, and cook with low-calorie spray oils instead of full fat versions. If you are contributing potluck style, bring a couple of dishes that you know you can enjoy, but won’t have to feel guilty about.
Just say no. Regardless of what your mother or Dear Abby may have told you, it’s okay to decline if you’re offered food when you’re not hungry. That plate of Christmas cookies on the table will serve just as nicely for the next guest. And when you are full, for goodness’ sake, stop eating, even if your plate isn’t empty. After all, that extra food isn’t doing anyone any good collecting around your waistline.
Create New Family Traditions
Center the celebration around something other than food. While you won’t be able to avoid every lavish family dinner, a get-together with friends could take place at an ice-skating rink, winter festival, or in your backyard in the form of a touch football game. Not only will everyone benefit from physical activity, but exercise also tends to curb the appetite, making it doubly good for you.
Start a new tradition. Lastly, take control of the holidays. If you are one of the adults in charge, it’s a great opportunity to set a good example for your (and others’) children by making family time healthier. Try doing a holiday craft with kids instead of baking tons of cookies. Replace the Christmas turkey and stuffing with a healthier dish (didn’t you all just have a big turkey dinner last month anyway?). Collect for a local food bank or involve the kids in a similar service project.
There are so many ways to make the holidays special. Be creative and focus on creating joy and memories instead of feasts. After all, isn’t that what the holidays are all about?
Read additional Suite articles for more creative holiday tips such as how to go green this Christmas and which is the most environmentally-friendly Christmas tree to buy.
Christy Swift - Christy Swift is a stay-at-home mom of two girls and a freelance writer. She has volunteered as a doula for young and underprivileged ...
